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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project is a new queer fake-dating romance with a twist. The book is about Eli and Peter, who are set up on a blind date by friends. Their date is so terrible that the two decide that Eli should teach Peter how to be a better date. Eli will use the dating lessons to make content for the website he works for, Vent, in hopes of getting a promotion. Meanwhile, Peter will get the dating experience that he missed out on while growing up in rural Georgia.
At the beginning of the book, Eli is still mourning a breakup with a long-term boyfriend. He doesn't want to go on a date with Peter, but his friends encourage him to take steps to start moving on. Peter is sweet, but his awkwardness can easily come across as rudeness, and he doesn't really have many friends or a life outside his work. Their romance is a slow-burn, with them remaining strictly friends who go on fake dates for much of the book. Feelings do develop, of course, but it takes time, and complications arise.
While this is a lovely romance, it delves into serious topics that add depth. Eli is trans and discusses the difficulties that trans men face when dating, as well as other aspects of being trans. Peter is Asian American and mentions the racism he faces, and how growing up queer and Asian in the deep South affected him. Overall, this is an introspective and thoughtful romance with many earnest conversations about real issues. Along with being topics that many readers will identify with, these conversations also show how deep Eli and Peter's relationship is. These two have such a wonderful, open dialogue with each other!
While it tackles those topics (and others), the book never gets too heavy. It's still mostly lighthearted and fun with a few emotional moments mixed in.
One fun aspect of the book is that Eli is a big movie buff. There's some fun movie trivia mentioned as he fact-checks Vents's listicles, and he has strong opinions on films. He also watches many movies and references them often throughout the book. Each chapter is also named after a movie! It was fun to check off which of the films mentioned I've seen, and I'm sure bigger movie fans than me will have even more fun with all these moments.
I haven't read any of Mason Deaver's YA romances, but after reading The Build-a-Boyfriend Project, I definitely will be. All of their books are going on my TBR, and I'm adding them to my list of must-read authors! I've read a lot of queer romances this year and this is one of the best.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was originally going to rate this 3 stars. The "uhoh! I lied and now it's gotten out and my lover is disappointed!" trope is very overdone, so I could see the "3rd act breakup" coming from a mile away, and the more I read, the more I thought to myself, there's no way that Eli can manage to fix this to deserve Peter. But.. they didn't get back together right away. And that's one thing I hate the most.
But what I loved the most was the important discussion Deaver played out in this book about queer isolation and how growing up in a small town where it's rare to be queer is practically damning for queer kids who grow into queer adults. I feel the same way as Peter did; isolated from anyone and everyone. Now that I'm an adult and can get out more, I have no worldly clue how to make friends, much less romantic relationships or even entanglements. I fear I'd be much like Peter myself-- a bumbling virgin who has to be coached on how to date. It was so cringey at times, but in a way that I could see happening in real life, and that's what made me fall in love with it even more.
But what I loved the most was the important discussion Deaver played out in this book about queer isolation and how growing up in a small town where it's rare to be queer is practically damning for queer kids who grow into queer adults. I feel the same way as Peter did; isolated from anyone and everyone. Now that I'm an adult and can get out more, I have no worldly clue how to make friends, much less romantic relationships or even entanglements. I fear I'd be much like Peter myself-- a bumbling virgin who has to be coached on how to date. It was so cringey at times, but in a way that I could see happening in real life, and that's what made me fall in love with it even more.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just so perfectly tender and sweet. Everything about this book felt lovingly inspired by romcoms from the early 2000s. The farcical set up, the slow burn romance, the silly slapstick moments all worked together really nicely. I think this book would adapt really well into film and with Mason's YA novel being turned into a movie who knows it could happen. If you're a fan of a dorky anxious love interest I think you'll have a great time with this book. The ending of this book is really grounded so if you feel that romance novels are too unrealistic at times this book could really work for you.
Also it's always a joy to get to read trans romance. With the current political climate it's just nice to read about some trans joy. Now I just need a major publisher to give me some trans lesbian romances.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Also it's always a joy to get to read trans romance. With the current political climate it's just nice to read about some trans joy. Now I just need a major publisher to give me some trans lesbian romances.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Death of parent
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Listen, I love a fake dating/teach me how(whatever that is) book. Following Eli as he is bogged down in his career because his boss is a complete ass and doesn’t want to actually talk about real stories(esp queer stories), Eli is desperate, so after going on a blind date with a man named Peter(this goes horribly and I thought it was hilarious), he decides to “help” Peter by showing him how to date…which he will use as his article. Of course Eli is lying about the full truth to Peter and so on and so forth.
Listen, Peter was the best character. I just love his personality and his heart. He was the biggest connection for me in the book because he was so willing to share his vulnerabilities.
Eli is getting alot of flack(that I’ve seen in reviews 😉), but I will say that I still liked Eli. I thought his connection with his mom and younger sibling was adorable.
The side characters are pretty one dimensional(but funny to me) and the whole reason for the fake dating was way too predictable. I also thought the grief that Eli had over his dad’s passing wasn’t flushed out well and felt like an afterthought to the overall story.
The narrator did a great job!
Thank you NetGalley and Harperaudio for the ALC!
Listen, Peter was the best character. I just love his personality and his heart. He was the biggest connection for me in the book because he was so willing to share his vulnerabilities.
Eli is getting alot of flack(that I’ve seen in reviews 😉), but I will say that I still liked Eli. I thought his connection with his mom and younger sibling was adorable.
The side characters are pretty one dimensional(but funny to me) and the whole reason for the fake dating was way too predictable. I also thought the grief that Eli had over his dad’s passing wasn’t flushed out well and felt like an afterthought to the overall story.
The narrator did a great job!
Thank you NetGalley and Harperaudio for the ALC!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver to review! This is Deaver’s first foray into adult romance from the young adult world, and I’d have to say it was a success! As a Spider-Man fan, I especially appreciated some of the nods to Spider-Man throughout, and also the references to various movies in the chapter titles. It made the whole reading experience fun!
Deaver excels at writing characters; it’s something I’ve always enjoyed about their YA books. Their character work is on full display here. As we learn more about Peter through Eli’s eyes, you also can’t help but fall for his slightly awkward demeanor. Eli and Peter have great chemistry, which just makes the entire book a fun read.
This sort of reminded me of that Christmas movie that came out a few years ago on Netflix, Love Hard. Not quite the same premise, but it’s got that journalism/dating angle. If you want something fun to round out your summer reading, definitely check this one out!
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Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was really good! I liked how much “natural” representation there was in this - no character felt added in just to check a box. I also really enjoyed how realistic the pacing of Eli and Peter’s relationship was, especially after everything at the end. The main conflict and plot was just slightly too predictable for me, but I enjoyed this overall.
The discussions this book has about being queer in small towns (and in general), as well as being trans are soso important and were put into this book with so much care and intention, and that really shined through throughout the whole story.
I also thought the narrator for this did an amazing job with the story - his voice really fit Eli perfectly and made it feel really immersive.
Thank you to Avon, HarperAudio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!
The discussions this book has about being queer in small towns (and in general), as well as being trans are soso important and were put into this book with so much care and intention, and that really shined through throughout the whole story.
I also thought the narrator for this did an amazing job with the story - his voice really fit Eli perfectly and made it feel really immersive.
Thank you to Avon, HarperAudio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!
Peter Park is a much better person than me because if i found out that the man i was seeing wasn’t actually tasked with writing an article about growing up queer in the South, but instead was writing about how shitty i am as a boyfriend, you would see me on national news. the government would have to reopen Alcatraz to keep me contained. Peter Park, my beloved, please run for the hills. Eli does not deserve you.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to say, Mason Deaver has done a fantastic job with their first adult romance book. I can't be more pleased with the writing, the pacing, and the chapters being titled after some really great movies. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't watched all of them, which I absolutely need to do. (Especially with some of them being true classics like When Harry Met Sally and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.)
I adore Peter Park with all of my heart. Like yeah, his first impression was one of the worst things I've ever read, but the redemption in this book makes him rank extremely high on my book boyfriend list. Now, I don't think Eli Francis deserves all the credit for his ranking, but wow, he does a damn good job.
Speaking of Eli, I adore him. He's probably my favorite Mason Deaver character (don't tell Ben De Backer I said that). Eli is such a fun character, who loves movies, his friends and family, and has so much passion for his journalism work. I see a lot of myself in him, which is maybe the reason why I love him so much, but I can't help it.
And to make my last comment as safe-for-work as possible, I thought the book's more explicit scene was some of the best I've ever read in an adult romance book. That's probably a crazy sentence to say in a review, but I needed it to be said with my full chest. I had to turn off my iPad and take a moment after finishing the chapter. Beyond impressed.
Thank you, Avon, for the digital ARC of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project!
I adore Peter Park with all of my heart. Like yeah, his first impression was one of the worst things I've ever read, but the redemption in this book makes him rank extremely high on my book boyfriend list. Now, I don't think Eli Francis deserves all the credit for his ranking, but wow, he does a damn good job.
Speaking of Eli, I adore him. He's probably my favorite Mason Deaver character (don't tell Ben De Backer I said that). Eli is such a fun character, who loves movies, his friends and family, and has so much passion for his journalism work. I see a lot of myself in him, which is maybe the reason why I love him so much, but I can't help it.
And to make my last comment as safe-for-work as possible, I thought the book's more explicit scene was some of the best I've ever read in an adult romance book. That's probably a crazy sentence to say in a review, but I needed it to be said with my full chest. I had to turn off my iPad and take a moment after finishing the chapter. Beyond impressed.
Thank you, Avon, for the digital ARC of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project!